Within three minutes of putting up the Kickstarter for the new Dark Souls board game, Steamforged Games received their requested $70,000 of funding. Within two hours, the Kickstarter was sitting on $200,000, and the number steadily grew from there. The final tally, when the campaign ended, sat at over five million dollars. It’s just another reminder that, despite its formidable challenge and eccentric design, From Software’s Dark Souls has become one of the most beloved series in games today. It also reflects the rise of the board game, which has grown from a fun family activity, to a niche hobby for hardcore enthusiasts, to a pastime as mainstream as videogames.

So, what made over 31000 fans donate over five million dollars for a board game version of something they already love playing? Why are people clamoring for Dark Souls: The Board Game? Read on for five reasons why fans are so excited.